System for indicating working conditions of condensers and the like



July 11, 1933.

R. G. REYNOLDSON H SYSTEM FOR INDICATING WORKING CONDITIONS OF CONDENSERS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 7, 1931 Patented July 11-, 1933 1,917,810

UNITED STATES PATENIi oFFIcE.

ROLAND anEYNoLDsoN, or MADISON, wIscoNsIN SYSTEM r03 INDICATING WORKING CONDITIONS or coNDENsERs AND THE LIKE Application filed August 7, 1931. Serial No. 555,814.

This invention relates to a system for indiobject of my invention to provide means cating the working conditions and operatfor showlng, at a glance, that one or more of ing efiiciency of fluid pressure apparatus such the above mentioned factors is causing exas condensers and the like. More partlcucessive pressure.-

5 larly, the invention is concerned with a sys- If a perfect vacuum were created in the tem embodying a combination gauge or mcondenser, the absolute pressure would be strument, responsive to pressure and temzero, i. e., 14.7 pounds below atmospherlc perature, designed to afford an easily readressure when the barometer stands at 30".

able indication of whether or not the pres- Vhen only a partial vacuum is created, a

10 sure and temperature conditions bear a precorresponding absolute pressure will exist. determined proper relationship to one an- For saturated vapor, or a mixture of the other. vapor and its liquid, the absolute pressure 1s The present invention is based upon two a function of the temperature and hence, it principles, one of which is Da-ltons Law of, the vapor in a condenser were pure (free 15 PartialPressures, viz., that: The total presfrom air and other non-condensible gases) sure of a mixture of gases is equal to the sum its temperature could be taken and its absoof the separate pressures which the gases lute pressure calculated therefrom. Howwould exert if each alone occupied the whole ever, it is practically impossible to have volume. The other principle is that, in a air-free vapor in a condenser, and hence the 2 system where certain pressures in one part temperature of the vapor indicates only that m of the system bear a definite relationship to pressure due to the pure vapor present. The certain temperature conditions existing in total pressure is greater, being the sum of another part of that system during proper that of the pure vapor and that due 'to air or operation of the latter, any indicated variaother gases present.

2 tion in said relationship will show that the If the vacuum gauge fitted on the condenser system is not operating at desired efficiency. is accurate, the absolute pressure can be ob- Each of these principles, and a combination tained by calculating the difference between of the two, maybe utilized to locate the the gauge and barometer reading. The difsource of certain inefiiciencies of the system. ference between the absolute pressure, thus 3 Although, as above generally outlined, the obtained, and the absolute pressure corre- 0 invention is capable of wide and varied use, sponding to the temperature of the vapor it will be particularly described and dis- (obtained from saturated vapor tables) repclosed in connection with a vapor condenser resents the partial pressure of any air or for steam, ammonia, or the like. other foreign gas present. That is, if air Excessive pressures (inadequate vacuum) is present, the thermometer indicates a betmay arise in condensers, whether the vapor ter'vacuum than actually exists. This methto be condensed is normally either above or 0d of determining inefficiency by calculation below atmospheric pressure, due to such is too complicated. Some means should be causes as air leakage into the system, dirt in provided for mechanically indicating or re- 43 the condenser, baflles or division plates carcording the working conditions so that quick ried away, inefiicient-separating pumps, inreadings may be had and immediate steps sufficiency of cooling medium, too high a taken to correct the conditions contributing temperature of cooling medium, or uncomto the plant inefficiency. have found that pensatcd height of the barometer. It is essuch a means can be formed from pressure 3 scntial that an adequate vacuum be mainand temperature responsive instruments, de-

tained, not only to operate at high efliciency signed and correlated in any one of several the engines or other apparatus exhausting ways, as follows. into the condenser, but also to'attain a proper The combination instrument may comprise cfiiciency for the condenser and the plant a thermometer having an element responsive 50 as a whole; and, accordingly, it is a major to the temperature within a gaseous space (the condenser) and designed to record such temperature in terms of that pressure which a particular vapor, such as steam known to be within said space, should have at said temperature; and a pressure-responsive element designed to record the actual total pressure within the space. These elements preferably are so related, as by specially designing either or both of them, that their indicators will be in substantial coincidence whenever the vapor is pure, i. e., when the total indicated pressure is one that actually corresponds with the temperature of the vapor. T e indicatorsmay consist of pens, and a common chart may be provided upon which said pens may record the temperatures and pressures. If the lines drawn are in coincidence, the vapor is pure; but if the lines are spaced, the degree of spacing represents a corresponding amount of foreign vapor or gas within the condenser. The method, then, may generally be said to consist in graphically lndicating the total absolute pressure'of a vapor in selected units; and graphically indicating,

' for purposes of quick comparison, the temperature of the vapor in units correspond-. ing to that absolute pressure which the vapor, if pure, would have at the measured temperature. 4

In the exhaust connection to a condenser the ratio of air'to the vapor (e. g., steam) is so small that the air has very little efli'ect on the temperature, so that a thermometer inserted in such connection will indicate a temperture. that substantially corresponds to the existing vacuum. But as the vapor passes downwardly and condenses, the proportion of'v air to vapor increases rapidly, and when the condition is reached where there are equal weights of. air and vapor, a thermometer at this point will show a temperature, (corresponding to the partial pressure of Vapor only) that may be 10 or 20 degrees lower than that corresponding to the total absolute pressure of the vapor and air. The thermometer mi ht show 79 F. corresponding to av vacuum 0 29" and the gauge show only 28", yet both would be correct or what they are designed to measure. For these reasons it is preferable to connect the thermometric element into the condenser at a point sub stantially spaced from the vapor inlet in order that th presence of air may be clearly indicated on the combination instrument. For example, the thermometer bulb may be disposed within the outgoing condensate. In such instances, however, the instrument affords only an indication of the presence of foreign gases and gives no proper indication that the condenser may be operating inefliciently from other causes. Hence, in the referred form of my invention, the bulb is inserted in the discharge of the cooling me- 'dium.

Under the usual conditions of condenser design, the temperature of the circulated cooling medium rises about 15 or 20 during its passage through the condenser. To obtain economy in heating feed water and to lessen absorption of air, the discharged medium should-leave at as high a temperature as will produce the desired vacuum. T his" temperature should be, for example, in a particular plant approximately 4 to 8 below that temperature which corresponds with the vacuum. By making-proper allowance for this 43 to 8 diflerence in temperatures, the temperature responsive mechanism may be so designed that, with its bulb located in the cooling discharge, its indicator will record values in terms of the absolute pressures which should exist within the con (lensing space at temperatures 4 to 8 lowor than those to which the bulb is actually subjected. It follows that, if the Vapor in the said space is pure, the pressure and temperature indicators will draw coincident lines on the chart. However, lack of coincidence will show not only the presence of foreign gases, but also other causes of incfliciency such as dirty condenser, scale on tubes, plates carried away, insufficient circulating medium, inlet temperature of circulating medium too high, etc.

The foregoing and other objects will appear in the following detailed description and its appended claims, when studied in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing, wherein:

Figure 1 shows, somewhat diagrammatically, my invent-ion as applied to a conventional condenser, the latter beingseen in longitudinal section -with the temperature responsive element connected into the outgoing condensate.

Figure 2 is a modified fragmentary view showing a portion of the condenser of Figure 1 with the temperature responsive element projecting into the discharged cooling medium. v

Figure 3 is a face View of the efficiency indicator or recorder, showing the pressure and temperature responsive instrument's combined for producing-chart readings.

Figure 4 is a face view of a portion of a chart that has been taken from the recorder of Figure 3 after several hours service theresuch as cold water, anda division plate 12 is provided for causing the inlet water to pass through a number of the lower pipes 9 into the header 6 from which it is passed into the ber, to be deflected into contact with the cooled pipes 9. The resulting condensate is carried off through an outlet 16. When the condenser and its auxiliary equipment is operating efficiently, the temperature of this outgoing condensate will afford an indication of the temperature of the vapors being condensed. By taking this temperature, then, and simultaneously obtaining the pressure (vacuum) within the condensing space. one can, by calculation and by reference tothe ammonia tables, determine whether there is anexcessive amount of foreign gas (air) in the condenser. It is practically impossible to exclude all air, but the plant attendant should be informed at all times whether or not the air is present in excess and thus causing costly inefficiency.

The present invention contemplates the addition of an automatic indicating system, re-

sponsive to the temperature and pressure just mentioned and from which readings may be obtained at a glance, for supplying the plant attendant with the necessary information. The indications preferably, but not necessarily are permanently recorded on a clockcontrolled chart to show the performance of the lant throughout a long period of time.

y automatic system comprises a recorder R connected to thejcondenser by lines 17 and 18. The line 17 comprises a pipe terminating at one end in a bulb 19 which projects into the condenser outlet 16, and connecting at its other end with a steel tube 20. The latter (see Figure 3) projects into the casing 22 of the recorder, is fastened therein by a clip 23, and then is wdund into the form of a'hollow spiral spring 24 closed at its-end by a cap 25. The tube and itsspring, the pipe 17 and the bulb 19 are filled with a fluid such, for example, as mercury, so that in response to temperature variations in the condensate the spring 24 will coil or uncoil slightly to move the cap 25. Movement of the latter is transmitted to an indicating and recording pen 26 by way of a pair of links 27 and 28 that are pivotally interconnected at 29. The l'nk 27 is connected to the pen and designed to swing therewithvabout a stationary pivot 30. The

' link 28 is pivoted, as at 32. upon the cap 25.

The recorder has a clock-controlled pin 33 upon which a chart 34 may be mountedfor recordat-ion of the temperatures throughout a 24 hour period. For clarity of illustration I the chart is removed in Figures 1, 2 and 3-, and shown separately in enlarged detail in Figure 4. It will be observed that the above described portion of the indicating system might be so designed as to record the temperature of the condensate in terms of absolute pressure corresponding to such temperature, andthat the pressure thus recorded would be correct if the ammonia vapor were pure. However, there might be considerable air present and, since the thermometer would not indicate its presence, I combine a pressure gauge with the thermometer in the following manner.

The line 18 comprises a pipe having one end opening into the condensing chamber and its other end connected with a steel tube 35. The tube is firmly held upon the recorder casing by a lug' 36'and adjacent said lug it is bent into a hollow spring 37 of Bourdon tube form. The spring is closed by a cap 38 which, in response to pressure variations, transmits the spring flexure to a pen 39 by way of a presses a link 40 pivoted on the cap 38 ;a bell crank 42 pivoted at 43 upon the casing; a.

link 44 pivotally interconnecting the link 40 and one arm of the bell crank; an arm 45 secured to the pen for oscillation therewith about the fixed pivot 30 and a link 46 pivotal- 1y interconnecting said arm 45 and theother arm of the bell crank. V

The above described pressure links and arms are so proportioned and related that the recordations made by the pen 39 will bear a predetermined relationship to {the corresponding temperature values. As-may be seen by reference to the saturated ammonia tables, the temperature varies uniformly and takes a straight line when plotted, whereas the corresponding pressures vary non-uniformly to take a curved line. The described linkage is so designed as to record pressure in the same straight line relation that the temperature values are indicated. It should of course be understood that the desired relationship rnay be produced by specially designing either the temperature or pressure linkages, or both; and that the chart 34' must be properly marked to correspond with the linkage designs.

The linkage relationship is such that when the vapor in the condenser is pure the two pens will draw substantially coincident lines on the chart. This is because the total pressure in the condensing space is that of the vapor, which pressure corresponds with the indicated temperature. However, the presence of a foreign gas will affect the pressure indication, but not the temperature reading, and hence the pen pointswill separate to draw non-coincident lines when air is present. The degree of separation will show, at a glance, the amount of foreign gas present.

vac .l...

The particular chart illustrated in Figure 4 is designed for use with the modification of Figure 2, but serves to show in general a type of chart that may be used in all cases. It has temperature and pressure scales laced thereon, and the hours of day and nig t in-' dicated. Thelines 47 and 48 have been drawn thereon in two different colors by the pens 26 and 39 during actual operation of the apparatus of Figure 2. It should be understood that this chart might be dispensed with and the pair of pens replacedby a pair of pointers to give instantaneous readings. It further should be noted that any other factor than coincidence might be used to indicate 100% efliciency, so long as the factor satisfies the condition that the mechanical calculations may be quickly and easily read.

With reference now to Figure 2, there is illustrated another embodiment where the only modification consists' in placing the thermometer bulb 19' in the discharged cooling medium, and in redesigning the recorder B so that its linkage will produce coincidence of the pen points (at such times as the vapor is pure) in spite of the changed situs-of the bulb. Under the usual conditions of condenser designythe temperature of the discharge passing outthrough the opening 13 should be about 4 to 8 .below the temperature corresponding to the vacuum existing in the condenser. Using 4 for example, this 4 difi'erence may be compensated for b forming the chart (see Figure 4) in suc manner that each temperature value, which corresponds with a definite existing pressure, is marked 4 lower than that temperature value which would be found by reference to the saturated vapor tables; and so designing the recorder linkages that coincidence of the pens will resultwhen no air is present. The compensation might also be obtained without alteration of the values given in the vapor tables, merely by designing the thermometer so that it will indicate those values which it would have. if the bulb were inserted as in Figure 1 and if the 4 difierence were properly maintained.

The arrangement of Figure 2 is preferred over that of Figure 1, for the reason that the recorder of the former is dependent not only upon the presence of foreign gas in the condenser, but also' upon all other conditions which might affect the temperature of the discharged cooling medium. For example, such other conditions may consist of scaly tubes 9, dirt in the condenser, bafile 15 or division plate 12 carried away, insufficiency of cooling medium, or cooling medium injected at too high a temperature.

As previously stated, my invention is applicable to many othersystems, where fluids are utilized under pressures and temperatures that may vary, for thepurpose of in-.

dicating inefliciency or undesirable conditions.

Where, in my specification and claims, I refer to any particular fluid as a gas, I

wish it to be understood that this term may be,

'lhe present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention bemg indicated by the'appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meanin and range of equivalency of the claims are t erefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is 1. A method for determining the extent, if any, to which foreign gas is present'in a volume of vapor, consisting in simultaneously and automatically recording the temperature and presu're of the volume in selected units so related that the recordation reveals at a glance the presence and amount of any foreign gas in the vapor.

2. A method for locating causes of inefliciency in a pressure fluid apparatus, consisting in graphically indicating the total pressure of the fluid in selected units; and graphically indicating for purposes of quick and easy comparison, the temperature of the fluid in units corresponding to that pressure which the fluid, if pure, would have at the measured temperature.

3. A method for ascertaining the cause of any ineliiciency of a vapor condensing system through which a cooling medium is circulated, said method consisting in mechanically indicating the pressure and temperature of the vapor in selected units so related that the indications reveal at a glance whether or not the temperature and pressure bear a predetermined relationship necessary 20 eflicient operation of the condensing sys- 4 In the method defined in claim 3, said mdicated vapor temperature being obtained from the discharged coling medium by compensating for the normal temperature difference between said vapor and said discharged cooling medium.

5. In the method of claim 3, said indicated vapor temperature being obtained from the condensate formed in the condensing system;

6. A combination recording instrument for determining the presence or absence of fore gn gas 1n a vapor, said instrument comprising a gauge designed to respond to the total vapor pressure and a device designed to respond to variations in the vapor temperature, and a chart associated with said gauge and said device; said gauge and said device each having a marker and being desi ed to move said markers upon said chart ti i'ough corresponding unit values upon variation of pressure or temperature, whereby the marker positions may be utilized for determining, merely by inspection of the chart, the amount of foreign gas present in the vapor at any sure within said space.

8. In combination with a condensing system having a vapor condensing chamber, a pressure-responsive device subjected to the total pressure existing within said space, and a thermometric device disposed for response to variations in temperature of the vapor bein condensed, said device being designed to in icate in related terms which may be quickly compared to determine the operating efiiciency of the system.

9. In the combination defined in claim 8,

common scale and to show any discrepancies between each indicated pressure value and that value which the vapor, it pure, should have at the indicated temperature;

10. In the combination defined in claim 8,

said devices being designed to indicate on a said thermometric device being subjected to 1 the temperature of the discharged cooling medium of the condenser system.

H. In the combination defined in claim 8, said thermometric device having an element responsive to the temperature of the cooling medium discharged from the system, and said devices being designed to compensate for the temperature difference between said vapor and said discharged cooling medium.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ROLAND G. REYNOLDSON. 

